Feeling Off-Balance | Artful Balance

Feeling off-balance isn't only about feeling subpar. As the word "balance" implies, there are two sides to it, and so feeling better-than-usual also counts as "feeling off-balanced."

It's actually how I can often tell a big negative dip is coming: I feel over-exuberant, happy, energized, effective.

Perhaps a new project recently drifted into view and my brain is working like a train engine on ecstasy going full speed ahead, excited to see it through. Mountains are moving; everything's cooperating; results are just within reach!

I feel giddy, boundless, and almost totally inhibited as I generate ideas. (This also often comes as a relief from an otherwise low-key week that was beginning to drone on.)

But the "buzz" that underlies this kind of excitement – excitement that can keep me up late making grand plans for the future – is also the buzz that makes me combustible, explosive in the face of inconveniences.

Armed with energy and hours of visualizing grandiose goals for myself, I have surplus reserves to get combative over any issue that dares to cross me, big or small. Suddenly, being in the midst of my next-big-thing is also the perfect timing to confront things that had been bothering me with gale-force conviction. To much regret later, it's those closest to me who I pin into the cross-hairs of that storm.

These are times when I wish I could just cry instead of lashing out when I am fearful and frustrated.